Betty Lou Stewart, 80, of St. Joseph, died June 3, 2019.

Betty Lou was born December 30, 1938, in St. Joseph, to Charles and Helen (Hership) Kindred.

She worked for a number of years at Handy Coin Laundry. She enjoyed going to the horse races and going to Walmart.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Stewart, son Merle Bryan Stewart, and sister Lorraine Stewart.

Survivors include two children, Larry Eugene Stewart and Helen Louise Teague; two grandchildren, Caroline Diaz, Jackie Centento (Mike); several great-grandchildren including Makenzie, Xavier, Michael, and Addisyn.

Mrs. Stewart has been cremated under the direction of the Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.

De A. Swinney 51, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019 in a Saint Joseph, MO hospital.

He was born April 14, 1968 in St. Joseph, MO, son of Kathy and the late Glen Swinney. He graduated from Benton High School Class of 1986, and served in the United States Army. He worked at Ford Motor Company for over 17 years and then Johnson Controls for over 10 years. De enjoyed riding motorcycles, visiting Wineries, traveling and woodworking. He participated in the Rides for Ryan, and Bikers for Babies, and was a member of the Missouri chapter of ABATE motorcycle club.

De was preceded in death by father, Glen Dean Swinney.

Survivors include, mother, Kathy Swinney, St. Joseph, MO, brothers, Robin Shuman, and Charles Swinney, sisters, Stacy Swinney (Steven Sharp) Swinney, Oregon, MO, and Candy (Brad) Harding, St. Joseph, MO, 6 children and 8 grandchildren.

Funeral services: 2:00 pm, Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home, Rev. Leanna VanZandt-Nauman officiating, The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Noyes home, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Harold Eugene Howard of rural Hiawatha died Friday, May 31, 2019, in Hiawatha, KS.

Gene was born June 23,1927, to Hollis and Velma (Jaynes) Howard. He married Virginia “Rose” Rockey in October 1945.

Before settling down and raising his family, Gene proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II.

Gene and Rose raised three boys – Gary, Charles and Don – on the family farm. He continued farming the land – even after retiring from Flair Fold, where he worked in the maintenance department for 14 years. He, also, continued his service to his country as a member of the National Guard.

Gene loved traveling. Some of his most notable destinations included Ireland and Scotland and his dream trip – riding his Harley Davidson to Alaska. He and Rose spent may winters in Brownsville, Texas, camping. Camping was another passion of Gene’s. He and Rose belonged to the Traveling TeePees camping club. He enjoyed riding motorcycles – passing his love of riding to his entire family. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Gene was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the American Motorcycle Association, the Hiawatha Saddle Club and the Hiawatha Masonic Lodge (which he belonged to for more than 60 years).

He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Don and Charles, daughters-in-law Terry and Betty and an infant great granddaughter.

Gene is survived by his wife Rose of the home; son Gary and Kathy Howard of Hiawatha; grandchildren Tammy Howard, Charla Adcock, Scott Howard, Hollis Howard, Patrick Howard, Keri Bestwick, Robert Howard and Stephanie Boothe; 17 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, 410 Hiawatha Ave in Hiawatha, with Reverend Andrew Finch officiating.

The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will follow at Mt Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha, with military honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude’s, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7^th St., Hiawatha 66434.

M. Virginia Vandeventer, 90, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019.
She was born February 20, 1929 in Galt, Missouri.

Virginia married Lloyd Vandeventer on October 14, 1952. She was a registered nurse at Methodist Hospital and was a member of the Missouri Nurse’s Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Thomas Eugene Vandeventer; sister, Doris Stickler; brothers, Donald and Robert Stickler.

Survivors include her husband; daughter, Barbara Hoerath, St. Joseph, MO; granddaughter, Amie Hoerath-Murphy (Mark), Overland Park, KS; grandson, Ryan Hoerath (Kristy), Kansas City, MO; great-grandchildren, Kinley and Aubrey Hoerath and Caroline Murphy; numerous nieces and nephews.

Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

 

Bernadine “Bernie” Nash, 59, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019, at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born September 13, 1959.

Bernie worked for St. Joseph Light and Power for 22 years, and for Hall Abstract/First American Title Company for 11 years before retiring. She was a loving mother and grandmother, an excellent listener and true friend. Bernie was a caretaker of MIR House of Prayer and Chapel of the Holy Rosary. She was a humble servant and a blessing from God.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Burris (2005); brother, Mark Burris (1983); sister, Maggie Burris-Nichols (2000); and grandson, Jaxon Bernadine Nash (2016).

Survivors include her husband, John D. Nash; sons, Jerrod Nash (Jill), John M. Nash (Chasity), James P. Nash (Melissa); grandchildren, Jensen, Carsley, Charlie, Alice, Ellis, Jordan, Ava, Malia; mother, Julia Burris; sisters, Angie Randsom, Christina Lee, Julie Creal, Anna Taylor; and brother, Jimmy Burris.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. Parish Rosary 5:30 P.M. Tuesday, St. Patrick Catholic Church. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, St. Patrick Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to MIR House of Prayer or Donor’s Choice.

 

Melody Ann Filley 57, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019 at Kansas University Medical Center after a short illness.

She was born June 30, 1961 in Atchison, KS, daughter of Edna and Donald Hunsaker. She graduated from Atchison High School, and Missouri Western State University with a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science. She married Chris Filley on September 5, 1991, and he survives of the home. Melody worked at KU Medical Center and the Atchison Hospital as a Health Information Technology Application Analyst. She enjoyed collecting vintage dolls, loved to decorate her home, and loved supporting causes such as Noyes Home for Children, and people in need. She and Chris enjoyed visiting museums, and going to the beach. But most importantly to her is that her family was her life. She was a member of the Keys Christian Fellowship Church.

Melody was preceded in death by father, Donald Hunsaker.

Survivors include, husband, Chris Filley of the home, mother, Edna Hunsaker, Atchison, KS, daughters, Abby (Michael) Burton, Smithville, MO, and Emily Filley, Kansas City, MO, son, Christopher Filley, St. Joseph, MO, brother, Oren (Joan) Hunsaker, Olathe, KS, sisters, Celinda Hunsaker-Stone, Atchison, KS, Donna (Dave) Prygon, Galesburg, IL, and Lisa (Mike) Shanks, Atchison, KS.

Funeral services: 10:00 am Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home, Pastor Richard Bradley officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Noyes Home for Children or the Keys Christian Fellowship Church.

Diane Marie Carolus, 70, of St Joseph, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

She was born August 28, 1948 in St. Joseph, daughter of Stella and Miles Roberts. She graduated from Benton High School, and St. Joseph Junior College. She worked at Mead/Westab as a office clerk. She enjoyed genealogy, and she was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Diane was preceded in death by husband, George Carolus, father, Miles Roberts, mother, Stella Cecelia Roberts, and brother, John Roberts.

Survivors include: son, Chris Walker of St. Joseph, sister, Judy (John) Kelley of Faucett, MO, sister-in-law, Patty Roberts of Prairie Village, KS, aunt, Mary Makos of St. Joseph, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ms. Carolus has been cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon June 8, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home. Private inurnment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Mosaic Cancer Center.

Nellie Anne Hatcher 84, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital.

She was born December 30, 1934 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Mary and Ed Hale. She graduated from Benton High School 1953, and she was the owner operator of Bekins Moving Company, and most recently worked at the Social Welfare Board for Buchanan County. She was a member of the Journey Baptist Church for many years, and she was a member of the South Side Business Women’s Club for many year also. She was very loving, and known for how sweet and nice she was, and Nellie will be missed by all her family and friends.

Nellie was preceded in death by parents, sisters, Gladys Sanders, Grace Brushwood, brothers, Clarence “Pete” Hale, Elmer Hale, and Richard Hale, former husband, Floyd Hatcher, and half brother, Chester McClellan.

Survivors include, daughter, Marcella (Vernie) Shat, Saint Joseph, MO, granddaughter, Corey (Tracy) Brown of Texas, great granddaughters, Ava, Alvia, & Addison Brown.

Funeral services: 11:00 am, Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home, Elder Ron Clutz officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery.